Dispute escalates between Health Ministry, Medical Association over 2024 fee schedule

The crisis between the Jordanian Medical Association and the Ministry of Health over the 2024 medical fee schedule has escalated, leading to the suspension of the schedule three weeks after its approval.

The association argued that the 2008 fee schedule is outdated and does not reflect the current wage system.

The 2024 fee schedule proposed a 60 percent increase over the 2008 fees, divided into three phases.

This agreement was reached in collaboration with the Insurance Companies Union, the Association of Insurance and Social Security Companies, and under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and the Central Bank, according to the association.

Health Minister Firas Al-Hawari, canceled the 2024 fee schedule until the Medical Association provides a revised schedule reflecting the agreements made in the joint committee meetings, the latest of which was on Jan 7, 2024.

Al-Hawari stated on Monday that the schedule submitted by the association for publication was not the agreed-upon version. A three-week audit revealed that 86 percent of the fees were from the previous schedule, with only 4 percent seeing increased fees.

The only change adhered to was in the general practitioner's consultation fee, indicating an error in the schedule.

The minister emphasized that healthcare spending could impoverish the middle class, with total spending on the health sector reaching approximately 2.25 billion dinars. Of this, 36 percent came directly from citizens, 12 percent from the insurance sector, and around 50 percent from military and civil insurance.

Al-Hawari noted that the longstanding issues could not be resolved in three months. Gradual and acceptable solutions were needed to avoid impoverishing citizens and compromising their healthcare security, with the ministry awaiting the revised solutions for publication.

Medical Association President Ziad Al-Zoubi stated that the Health Ministry’s decision violated the law and the agreement reached with relevant ministers. Consequently, the association decided to adhere to the published schedule and implement the cooperative fund system and its regulations as published in the Official Gazette.

Al-Zoubi warned that if insurance entities did not comply with the new schedule, the association would cancel contracts with them and set a date to cease dealings, while continuing to treat emergency cases regardless of insurance approvals.

For clinic and center visitors, receipts would be issued according to the new schedule.

The head of the Media Committee in the Medical Association, Hazem Al-Qarala, told "Roya" that insurance companies refused to comply with the new schedule and continued to apply the 2008 fees.

Al-Qarala highlighted the approval of the cooperative fund system for doctors, which allows patients to consult any doctor, even if not approved by their insurance company.

The cooperative fund collects doctors' fees from insurance companies for clinic and private hospital services according to the current pricing, with shorter payment periods.

Article 17 of the 2018 Cooperative Fund System for Doctors stipulates that beneficiaries of health insurance have the freedom to choose any fund-affiliated doctor, without institutional employees directing them to specific doctors.

In August, the Medical Association agreed to postpone the decision to stop accepting patients, with a deadline of December 2.